Originally Posted by
warrenpenalver
the focus zetec R is a completely different engine to the Zetec SE found in 1.25, 1.4, 1.6 and 1.7 forms found in fiestas, pumas, 1.6 focus etc.
The zetec SE has an alloy block and head and was developed by yamaha for ford so is very efficient for what it is.
The Zetec R is a pile of crap by engineering comparison.
The zetec SE's flaw is it wasnt built in huge numbers and being very efficient already means limited capability for tuning without costly rebuilds.
The zetec SE drives completely different to a Zetec E/R engine. Its a high revving screamer.
The SE is brilliant.
The E is still a good engine though. The amount of them I had, and they all took endless abuse. The best one I know took countless abuse from me and the 2 previous owners. One New Year's Eve it was flat out at c.120mph for over an hour and it never missed a beat. Still lives on now in a Fiesta somewhere in Essex.
I'll always have a lot of respect for the Zetec.